Understanding long COVID: Workers’ comp insurer publishes pamphlet for employers

Albany, NY — People who continue to experience COVID-19 symptoms at least three months after contracting the virus have what’s known as long COVID. A new resource from New York state’s largest not-for-profit workers’ compensation insurer is intended to help employers understand the condition and support workers who have the chronic condition.

The educational pamphlet from the New York State Insurance Fund outlines the most common symptoms of long COVID, the number of people affected, and the consequences for the labor force and the economy. It also highlights strategies to support workers who have or care for someone with the condition and explains the importance of filing a workers’ comp claim when a worker contracts COVID-19 on the job.

A 2023 NYSIF analysis of more than 3,100 workers’ comp claims shows that about 5% of all COVID-19 claimants had long COVID. Among them, 18% were unable to work for more than a year because of ongoing symptoms. Those symptoms can include severe fatigue, difficulty thinking or concentrating, headaches, sleep issues, and depression or anxiety.

Citing the 2024 Household Pulse Survey, NYSIF notes that more than 80% of adults with long COVID have some type of daily limitation, with a quarter of them having “significant” limitations. Employers can support affected workers by allowing more flexible schedules, additional rest breaks and providing an ergonomic workstation.

“It’s important that we continue to raise awareness about the significant impact of long COVID,” James McDonald, commissioner of the New York State Department of Health, said in a press release.